Sir Paul McCartney's busking admission

The Beatles legend, who opened Live 8 with U2, donned a fake beard and dark glasses and took his guitar to central London - and, amazingly, his true identity was never discovered.

He revealed: "It was for a film thing and it was something I'd always wanted to do. So I scruffed myself up a bit, put on a false beard and shades, and went down to Leicester Square tube station. It was really cool.

"A couple of people came up and said, 'Is it you?' but I just said, 'Oh, no.'

"But I got a few shillings and I thought, 'This doesn't feel right.' So I gave it to charity."

Sir Paul also claims he rarely gets noticed when he goes out and about.

He told Britain's BBC Radio One: "Nobody recognises me much, particularly when on the Tube and you're sitting there like a zombie, and people go, 'No, it can't be?'

"I know a lot of stars who won't go to the supermarket or the cinema, but I do. The worst thing that can happen is someone will ask you for an autograph and if that happens I just go, 'Sorry, I'm shopping.' But I'll shake their hand and say hello."